Radiation Safety Contact:  919–515-2894

While liquid scintillation counter units (LSC) generally present no external radiation exposure hazard, state and federal regulations require these instruments be registered and labeled as radiation-producing equipment. Modifications, repairs or removal of the radiation source must never be attempted by lab personnel due to the potential for causing a sealed source leak resulting in radioactive contamination. Radiation Safety staff perform a routine physical inventory and source leak test on all LSC units in 6-month intervals.
Principal Investigators are responsible for contacting Radiation Safety in advance of the situations listed below:

Purchasing LSC Units

When a LSC is to be purchased through the NC State Purchasing or another agency, it must be registered through Radiation Safety. It is the responsibility of the Principal Investigator to submit form “RS-10 Radiation Producing Device Authorization Form” to Radiation Safety before obtaining the device.
( Radiation safety Manual – pg 16 – 17 Section 3.10 Application to Purchase a Radiation-Producing Device)

Accepting Donated LSC Units

When a LSC is to be donated to NC State by any outside institution, agency or individual it must be registered through Radiation Safety. It is the responsibility of the Principal Investigator to submit form “RS-10 Radiation Producing Device Authorization Form ” to Radiation Safety before obtaining the device. These units must have a source leak test performed before use.
(Radiation safety Manual – pg 16 – 17 Section 3.10 Application to Purchase a Radiation-Producing Device)

Re-Location of LSC Units

When a LSC is to be donated to NC State by any outside institution, agency or individual it must be registered through Radiation Safety. It is the responsibility of the Principal Investigator to submit form “RS-10 Radiation Producing Device Authorization Form” to Radiation Safety before obtaining the device. These units must have a source leak test performed before use.

Surplus or Disposal of LSC Units

LSC units cannot be sent to NC State Materials Management containing the radiation source. The correct action is to contact Radiation Safety for disposal options.
(Radiation safety Manual – pg 25 Section 5.7 Equipment Releases).